Mumbai: Central Railway Vigilance Nabs Two Touts at Malkapur PRS; Over Rs 10 Lakh Worth of Tickets Seized
Malkapur, 24 May 2025: Acting on specific intelligence, the Vigilance Team of Central Railway conducted a preventive check at the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) office in Malkapur, resulting in the apprehension of two individuals involved in illegal ticketing activities.
The operation led to the interception of Sanjay Chandak, identified as a local touting kingpin, and Prasad Kale, a 17-year-old assistant. The duo was found in possession of an AC Tatkal ticket worth Rs 3,960, booked from PRS Malkapur.
Upon questioning, Chandak disclosed his association with a Mumbai-based tout identified as Thakur, alleged to be the mastermind of a wider touting network. Chandak voluntarily provided access to his WhatsApp chat history, which revealed that he had sent images of 182 Journey Cum Reservation (JCR) tickets to the Mumbai-based contact.
The seized tickets include 23 live bookings valued at Rs 1,61,535 and 159 past tickets amounting to Rs 8,48,298, totaling Rs 10,09,833. Chandak admitted the tickets were booked through PRS Malkapur for illegal resale.
The accused were handed over to the Inspector of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Malkapur. A case has been registered under CR No. 278/2025, under Section 143 of the Railways Act. The 23 live tickets involved have been blocked. Further investigation is being conducted by RPF Malkapur.
